MCAD Tech News #188

While many trade shows are waning, IMTS is gaining
momentum and offering exciting opportunities for the manufacturing
sector

With the advent of the Web and other electronic and digital
marvels, I rarely attend trade shows and industry conferences anymore.
I’m not exactly alone, either, as attendance at most traditional
trade events has dropped off dramatically during the past decade. However,
I attended IMTS (the International Manufacturing Technology Show) 2006
a few weeks ago in Chicago and found it to be very worthwhile. Again,
I was hardly alone, because at this event, attendance exceeded 91,000
for the first time in six years. It occupied more than a million square
feet, so there was literally a lot of ground to cover.

Beyond its sheer size, what was impressive about IMTS?
Well, there were tons of manufacturing technologies to check out -- everything
from robotic workcells to multi-tasking machining centers for cutting metal
to software for controlling all of the robots and machines -- plus some
indications of what the future might hold for manufacturing. Read
more>>

MCAD Modeling Methods -- Transitioning from
2D to 3D

by Mike Hudspeth, IDSA

In the early 2D days of CAD, when that acronym meant computer-aided
drafting, not design, it helped to have an artistic eye. If you didn't
have an artistic person at the computer, your drawings didn't turn out
that well. I started out drafting, and fortunately I've always had an
affinity for 3D sculpture and drawing. In short, I can see and imagine
3D space. Why was that important? Because drawing orthographic projection
requires the ability to imagine what the object looks like from different
angles. If you worked from actual parts or a model of your design, the
process was much easier. But in my experience, drawings were necessary
long before such parts or models were available. Read
more>>

Webinar: Extending the Value of ERP for Custom
Product Manufacturers
October 12, 2006
The webinar will address the challenges that custom product manufacturers
face and recommended solutions to help them deal with product complexity
while responding to customer-specific orders more rapidly, accurately
and efficiently. Read
more

SAP Business Forum 2006
October 18, 2006
Chicago, Illinois
Part of the SAP Business Innovation Series, this complimentary event
will include sessions with SAP experts who will answer and discuss attendee
questions and concerns. General Colin Powell, USA (Ret.), former U.S.
secretary of state, will deliver the keynote speech. Read
more

Future Industrial Applications of Additive Fabrication
December 1, 2006
Frankfurt, Germany
This eighth annual conference will coincide with the EuroMold 2006. Experts
from several countries will share their knowledge and expertise to help
attendees make important decisions related to new business, research
and investment opportunities and challenges. Read
more

Primavera 23rd Annual Conference
December 3-6, 2006
San Diego, California
The Primavera Annual Conference is an annual educational forum for the
company’s software users to update their product knowledge, network
with their project management peers and meet Primavera employees. Conference
offerings include hands-on learning, project profiles and educational
and technical tracks. Read
more

Avatech Executive Breakfast Seminars
Various dates and locations
Avatech Solutions will host this series of complimentary executive breakfast
seminars, which will focus on effective implementation strategies, executive
business issues and Autodesk technology as they relate to increasing
profits and productivity. Read
more

Datamat Group Tech Expo
October 6, 2006
Uncasville, Connecticut
This fifth annual event comprises speakers and sessions in tracks including
Mechanical/Manufacturing and Architectural/Building. Autodesk evangelist
and blogger Heidi Hewett will deliver the keynote address, "Getting
the Most Out of AutoCAD 2007 -- 10 Best Features and the Move into 3D." Read
more

ASUG Fall Symposium Series
Various dates and locations
ASUG (Americas' SAP Users' Group) is hosting a Fall Symposium series
to educate members on a wide variety of SAP solutions, including mySAP
PLM, Human Capital Management, Enterprise Asset Management, solutions
for the public sector and upgrading to mySAP ERP. All ASUG members and
licensed SAP customers are encouraged to attend. Read
more

Rhino 4.0 -- "Shape to Fabrication"
November 8, 2006
London, United Kingdom
This technology update day will include information on the upcoming Rhino
4.0 release, presentations and in-depth architecture and engineering
Rhino user stories. Read
more

ASTM Committee E57 on 3D Imaging Systems
January 28-30, 2007
Costa Mesa, California
ASTM Committee E57 on 3D Imaging Systems meets twice each year to address
issues related to 3D imaging systems, which include, but are not limited
to, laser scanners (also known as LADAR or laser radars) and optical
range cameras (also known as flash LADAR or 3D range cameras). Read
more

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